Merkel urges Leo to move on backstop
»»German call for ‘creative’ solution on border deadlock »»Tusk sparks fury on ‘place in hell for Brexiteers’ remark
I will do everything that I can to find a common solution
DONALD TUSK BRUSSELS YESTERDAY
PRESSURE is mounting on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to soften Ireland’s position on the backstop to get Brexit across the line.
The squeeze is coming from German Chancellor Angela Merkel who suggested a “creative” solution to the deadlock can be found.
She has broken ranks with other European leaders in suggesting there could be a way around the backstop.
It comes as the Taoiseach gets ready to welcome British Prime Minister Theresa May tomorrow for a crisis dinner. European Council President Donald Tusk didn’t pull any punches yesterday when he spoke of a “special place in hell” for “those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan of how to carry it out safely”.
Meanwhile, in Japan Ms Merkel said if the EU and UK “talked to each other” a deal on the backstop could still be reached.
Her spokesman added yesterday: “The chancellor spoke of creativity in finding a solution, and meant it.”
Last night, it was reported in Europe Ms Merkel is preparing to push this line among her Brussels counterparts.
It is not good news for the Irish Government hoping all EU leaders will not budge on the backstop.
Commenting in Brussels on Ms Merkel’s remarks, Mr Varadkar said: “I think we have been very creative all along and perhaps it is for those who have created this problem to be a bit creative now.”
He confirmed Mrs May will come to Ireland to discuss the Brexit crisis.
Mr Varadkar was holding a series of high-level talks with senior Brussels figures, including Donald Tusk, Jeantalks Claude Juncker, Michel Barnier and Guy Verhofstadt along with Ireland’s EU Commissioner Phil Hogan.
The Taoiseach got in a day ahead of Mrs May who will hold similar meetings with Brussels chiefs.
Mr Tusk shocked many with his harsh comments about UK Brexiteers with no plan.
His stark “hell” comments reflect the deep frustration of European leaders with the British position.
Mr Varadkar was standing alongside him when he made the controversial remarks in Brussels yesterday. Mr Tusk
ACHTUNG, Leo! Germany is piling the pressure on the Taoiseach to find a “creative” solution to the border backstop.
Let’s hope rational EU leaders pay no attention to outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s comments – it’s up to the diehards to come up with a sensible solution.
EU Council President Donald Tusk yesterday wondered what the “special place in hell” would look like for unsighted hardline Brexiteers.
Well their plans, or continuing lack of them, would bring a special type of hell to Northern Ireland, never mind the rest of the UK.